PCAPdroid vs tcpdump

Struggling to choose between PCAPdroid and tcpdump? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

PCAPdroid is a Network & Admin solution with tags like network, protocol, analyzer, troubleshooting, debugging.

It boasts features such as Real-time packet capture, Filters for protocols, hosts, ports etc, Detailed packet inspection, Export PCAP files, Works over WiFi, cellular data, VPNs, Supports IPv4 and IPv6 and pros including Free and open source, Easy to use interface, Lightweight app, Works offline, Good for learning about networks.

On the other hand, tcpdump is a Network & Admin product tagged with packet-capture, network-traffic, commandline.

Its standout features include Packet capture and network traffic monitoring, Capture filters for selective packet capture, Reading packets from files for offline analysis, Output to console, files, or other programs, Decoding of various network protocols, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Available for multiple platforms, Powerful command line interface, Wide protocol support, Allows inspection of raw network traffic, Lightweight and fast.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

PCAPdroid

PCAPdroid

PCAPdroid is a network protocol analyzer app for Android. It allows users to capture, inspect, and analyze network traffic on their Android devices. Useful for network troubleshooting, debugging, and learning about network protocols.

Categories:
network protocol analyzer troubleshooting debugging

PCAPdroid Features

  1. Real-time packet capture
  2. Filters for protocols, hosts, ports etc
  3. Detailed packet inspection
  4. Export PCAP files
  5. Works over WiFi, cellular data, VPNs
  6. Supports IPv4 and IPv6

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to use interface

Lightweight app

Works offline

Good for learning about networks

Cons

Limited compared to desktop analyzers

Can drain battery quickly

No automated analysis features


tcpdump

tcpdump

tcpdump is a command-line network monitoring and data acquisition tool used to capture packet data flowing over a network. It can intercept and log traffic passing over a digital network or part of a network.

Categories:
packet-capture network-traffic commandline

Tcpdump Features

  1. Packet capture and network traffic monitoring
  2. Capture filters for selective packet capture
  3. Reading packets from files for offline analysis
  4. Output to console, files, or other programs
  5. Decoding of various network protocols

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Available for multiple platforms

Powerful command line interface

Wide protocol support

Allows inspection of raw network traffic

Lightweight and fast

Cons

Command line only, no GUI

Steep learning curve

Manual analysis of captures required

Does not do automated intrusion detection

Requires root/admin rights on most OSes